We had wonderful conversations about how we bloggers and social media enthusiasts could nurture each other. All in all a nurturing afternoon for the belly and soul. We cooked and chatted. Tossed and tasted.

My friends, we did not measure one thing!

Say Hi, Honey!!

My goodness was I in my element. My husband who came with me? Yeah as an engineer and all around geek, he is more of about precision. Our styles often clash in our kitchen. But here? Here I was being told that my cooking style was beyond okay. Freedom is amazing in the kitchen. Just trust yourself!!

I have to admit I accepted before I even realized it was a cooking class because I knew Goodness Knows was a wonderful Northwest brand. I had had the opportunity to eat their chocolate granola yum last summer. The bars came in the mail and were gobbled up by the kids and I before CG got any!

I love that they come in squares, so when you need just a little treat...you can split it amongst your friends and family. My kids especially love them because they are one of the few non-paleo snacks for before/after swim practice that I stock. Too many bars these days are so stuffed with junk.

So Paleo? No. However, it's a perfect little snack with just enough yum to head off a major Paleo cheat when I feel it coming. Better to eat a square or two of these babies at less than 40 calories a square and full of almonds then give in to a whole bag of "melt in your mouth, not in your hand" artificial, preservative packed yuck, right?

Want some of your own? Giveaway at the end for one lucky reader!!

Back to that soup today? I was inspired to make another hand-crafted, nurturing soup with a little zing.

Warm olive oil over medium in heavy pot. Add next six ingredient from onions to ground pepper. Saute for 3-4 minutes until onions start to soften and oil is evenly distributed. Cover, put on low and cook for 20 minutes or until carrots are very tender. Meanwhile warm up store purchased chicken broth or make ** Fresh, Fast chicken stock below.

Put all contents into a blender and blend for 4-5 minutes. You may have to do this in batches. Vegetables should be very smooth and the consistency of a puree.

Place puree back into pot over low heat. Add 2 cups of broth. Mix thoroughly Begin to add spices 1 tbsp at a time then taste. For instance add one tbsp curry powder through siracha. Then add 1/2 tsp salt. Add 1 tbsp vinegar. Stir. Taste. Start again from the top. Go until you've reached the desired spiciness and balance your tongue likes. Seriously trust yourselves. The measurements of spices above were based on my palate. You might like less or more (go wild) spicy. Remember start slowly. You can always add more, but it's hard to take away too much salt or chili powder.

Once you have the right spice, add more chicken stock to desired soup consistency. Some people like thick others like thin. Your choice.

Simmer 30 more minutes to let flavors meld together. Add a splash more cider vinegar and a sprinkle more salt if needed.

Bonus? This recipe works double duty as a vitamin-packed Indian style sauce to put over rice. Add cooked chicken and some steamed veggies and you've got curry!

**Fresh, FAST Chicken Stock (Carcass, skin, bones everything from a leftover rotisserie chicken in a large pot, cover with water, bring to boil and then turn down to simmer for 20-30 minutes. Strain.)

So my friends? I am all about making nurturing, natural foods and trusting myself. And these bars? I trust them.

So back to that awesome giveaway Goodness Knows has offered my readers? Goodness Knows will ship one lucky person a tote bag, water bottle & THREE BOXES of Goodness Knows Snack Squares ($65 Value)!!

Tell me what your cooking style is in comments below to enter to win! There are additional entry options as well!

Want to hear my husband's side of the story? You can read his review Hip Cooks at Hip Cooks. Psst as for recipes for that awesome seared ahi tuna with mango salsa and red/yellow pepper soup? Stay tuned on my blog for next week!!

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YUM!!

Disclosure: I was provided a cooking class and product to review but was not otherwise compensated. As always, my opinions, good or bad, are always my own and never can be bought. :)

I am very much a "follow the directions" kind of cook. Probably because my mother never did and most of her stuff... well, let's just say I don't really ask her to cook for me unless I have to! ;)But I have started to be a bit freer... especially as I have had to modify so much to be gluten free. And I realized that I'm learning how things actually work so I can do it easier now. But I still hate cooking.

I I don't measure either. That's why I'm a terrible baker. Basically, I like to grab a protein and a microwave pack of veggies, cook, toss together with some kind of sauce. At least, that's how I seem to be cooking this month!

As a scientist, I like measuring and precision but now that I am a mommmy...all bets are off in the kitchen, LOL. I might check out a recipe to get an idea how much of this or that to add but I have mastered the "wing it" mentality!